Spatial Telemeter Alert Reconnaissance System

ABSTRACT

Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for a spatial telemeter alert reconnaissance system (“STARS”). According to one aspect disclosed herein, the STARS can receive, from a spatial mapping and monitoring (“SMM”) device, an initial space map for a space in which the SMM device is deployed. The initial space map can include a volume capacity of the space. The STARS can receive, from a user device, at least one space parameter to be utilized for the space in which the SMM device is deployed. The STARS device can update the SMM device in accordance with the space parameter. In some embodiments, the at least one space parameter can include a mapping frequency. The mapping frequency can instruct the SMM device to perform spatial mapping of the space at a specified time interval.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/286,704, entitled “Spatial Telemeter AlertReconnaissance System,” filed Oct. 6, 2016, which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The Internet of Things (“IoT”) is a concept of making physical objects,collectively “things,” network addressable to facilitateinterconnectivity for the exchange of data. The IoT has manyapplications, one of which is inventory management. Currently there areno universal and well-implemented IoT-enabled inventory managementsolutions. Although some solutions exist, these systems often requiremanual intervention, and for this reason, are unlikely to attract largescale use by the average consumer, small businesses, warehouses, and thelike.

SUMMARY

Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for a spatial telemeteralert reconnaissance system (“STARS”). According to one aspect disclosedherein, the STARS can receive, from a spatial mapping and monitoring(“SMM”) device, an initial space map for a space in which the SMM deviceis deployed. The initial space map can include a volume capacity of thespace. The STARS can receive, from a user device, at least one spaceparameter to be utilized for the space in which the SMM device isdeployed. The STARS device can update the SMM device in accordance withthe space parameter.

In some embodiments, the at least one space parameter can include amapping frequency. The mapping frequency can instruct the SMM device toperform spatial mapping of the space at a specified time interval. TheSTARS can receive, from the SMM device and in accordance with themapping frequency, an updated space map for the space. The updated spacemap can include an occupied volume of the space. The occupied volume isa portion of the volume capacity that is occupied by at least one item.

In some embodiments, the at least one space parameter can include anoccupancy threshold. The occupancy threshold can specify a value for theoccupied volume of the space that, when met, causes the STARS togenerate an alert and to send the alert to one or more third partyservices and/or to the user device. The third party service(s) and/orthe user device, in response, can perform one or more tasks. In thismanner, the space parameters can be defined by a user so as to triggerperformance of one or more task(s) responsive to specified thresholdoccupancies of the space.

It should be appreciated that the above-described subject matter may beimplemented as a computer-controlled apparatus, a computer process, acomputing system, or as an article of manufacture such as acomputer-readable storage medium. These and various other features willbe apparent from a reading of the following Detailed Description and areview of the associated drawings.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intendedthat this Summary be used to limit the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited toimplementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part ofthis disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating aspects of an illustrativeoperating environment capable of implementing various aspects ofembodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating aspects of a setup workflow for aspatial telemeter alert reconnaissance system (“STARS”), according to anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method for setting upa spatial mapping and monitoring (“SMM”) device for a space monitored bythe STARS, according to an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating aspects of a method for operatinga user device, according to an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method for operatingthe STARS, according to an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a 3-D representation of a space monitored by the STARS,according to an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example computer systemcapable of implementing aspects of the embodiments presented herein.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example mobile device capableof implementing aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a network, according to an illustrativeembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to a spatialtelemeter alert reconnaissance system (“STARS”). STARS encompasses oneor more Internet of Things (“IoT”)-enabled spatial mapping andmonitoring (“SMM”) devices deployed within one or more spaces formapping the spaces and monitoring inventory of items located within thespace(s). STARS provides a general purpose solution that is adaptablefrom home automation to large business inventory management use cases,among others. A user device can interact with STARS via a clientapplication installed on the user device(s) and/or a web interface. Thisallows users to define parameters according to which the IoT-enabled SMMdevice(s) are to operate. By using a spatial mapping technology, theIoT-enabled SMM device(s) can map a space to determine an initial volumecapacity (i.e., a volume of a monitored space that is unoccupied by oneor more items), and over time, can perform ongoing volume monitoring ofthe space to determine an occupancy of the space. The occupancyindicates a volume of the space that is occupied by one or more items.

It should be appreciated that the above-described subject matter may beimplemented as a computer-controlled apparatus, a computer process, acomputing system, or as an article of manufacture such as acomputer-readable storage medium. These and various other features willbe apparent from a reading of the remaining Detailed Description and areview of the associated drawings.

While the subject matter described herein may be presented, at times, inthe general context of program modules that execute in conjunction withthe execution of an operating system and application programs on acomputer system, those skilled in the art will recognize that otherimplementations may be performed in combination with other types ofprogram modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs,components, data structures, computer-executable instructions, and/orother types of structures that perform particular tasks or implementparticular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art willappreciate that the subject matter described herein may be practicedwith other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices,vehicles, wireless devices, multiprocessor systems, distributedcomputing systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumerelectronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, routers, switches,other computing devices described herein, and the like.

In the following detailed description, references are made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown byway of illustration specific embodiments or examples. Referring now tothe drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements throughoutthe several figures, aspects of a spatial telemeter alert reconnaissancesystem will be described.

Referring now to FIG. 1, aspects of an illustrative operatingenvironment 100 for various concepts disclosed herein will be described.It should be understood that the operating environment 100 and thevarious components thereof have been greatly simplified for purposes ofdiscussion. Accordingly, additional or alternative components of theoperating environment 100 can be made available without departing fromthe embodiments described herein.

The operating environment 100 includes a spatial telemeter alertreconnaissance system (“STARS”) 102. The STARS 102 enables IoTdevice-based spatial mapping and monitoring services. The spatialmapping and monitoring services provided by the STARS 102 are adaptablefor a variety of use cases, some examples of which include, but are notlimited to, home automation, small business inventory management, andlarge scale warehouse inventory management. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate the applicability of the concepts and technologiesdisclosed herein to other use cases, and as such, the example use casesdescribed herein should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

The STARS 102 enables spatial mapping and monitoring of one or moreitems 104 located within one or more spaces 106 monitored (“monitoredspace”) by one or more IoT-enabled spatial mapping and monitoring(“SMM”) devices 108 deployed within the monitored space 106. The items104 can be any physical item that a user 110, group of users, business,service provider, or any other entity (referred to herein generically as“user” 110) wants to monitor within a given space, such as the monitoredspace 106. The monitored space 106 can be any space that has a capacitysufficient to enclose, at least partially, at least one of the items104. By way of example, and not limitation, the monitored space 106 canbe a building or some portion thereof, a home or some portion thereof, acontainer of any kind, a mailbox, an interior of an appliance (e.g.,refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, clothes washing machine, clothes dryer,etc.), or the like.

The SMM device(s) 108 can be any device capable of performing spatialmapping and monitoring operations described herein. Moreover, the SMMdevice(s) 108 can be configured to operate in accordance with anyspatial mapping technology or combination of spatial mappingtechnologies. Some example spatial mapping technologies include, but arenot limited to, electromagnetic-based technologies such as infrared andlaser, camera-based technologies, sound-based technologies such asecholocation, combinations thereof, and the like. Those skilled in theart will appreciate the applicability of the concepts and technologiesdisclosed herein to other spatial mapping technologies, and as such, theconcepts and technologies disclosed herein should not be construed asbeing limiting in this regard.

The STARS 102 also includes a rules and integration system 112. Therules and integration system 112 can store one or more initial spatialmaps 114 associated with the space(s) monitored by the SMM device(s)108, such as the illustrated monitored space(s) 106. The initial spatialmap(s) 114 can be taken by the SMM device 108 during a setup process todetermine spatial characteristics of the monitored space 106, such asvolume of the monitored space 106.

Initially, the SMM device 108 can measure the monitored space 106 anddetermine a maximum volume of the monitored space 106 (empty state) byclassifying the monitored space 106 as some shape based upon which avolume calculation can be made. For example, the volume of a cuboid-typecontainer could be calculated as Length X Width X Height. Those skilledin the art will appreciate the applicability of other volume formulasbased upon the shape of the monitored space 106. In a scenario where themonitored space 106 is of an irregular shape, such as a cabinet with abox taking up some space in the corner, the SMM device 108 can recognizethat perhaps dissecting that space into two rectangular cuboids wouldallow volume calculations to be made, and then combine the volume unitsfor each rectangular cuboid to determine a maximum volume capacity. Inthe event that a first cuboid that created the irregular shape in themonitored space 106 is removed, the SMM device 108 can utilize anidentifier attached thereto (e.g., as a QR code) that the STARS 102 canrecognize as having left the monitored space 106 and thereby the volumenow available. If the monitored space 106 contains only one type of item(e.g., a cabinet that contains only toilet paper), the SMM device 108can be used to determine the volume of one of the items, and canrecognize when that volume has left the monitored space 106 to determinean exact (or approximate) number of that type of item that left themonitored space 106.

The initial spatial map(s) 114 can take into account other objectslocated within the monitored space 106 that reduce the initial volumeinside the monitored space 106 that could otherwise be used to enclose,at least partially, the item(s) 104. In some embodiments, other objectslocated in the monitored space 106 can be identified separate from theitem(s) 104 to be monitored. In this manner, the SMM device(s) 108 candetermine the item(s) 104 to be monitored versus other items that may belocated in the monitored space 106. For example, if the user 110 desiresto monitor a container of liquid (e.g., tea), the SMM device 108 can beattached to the inside of the container, such as to a lid of thecontainer, and in this manner, the SMM device 108 can monitor the amountof liquid remaining in the container using the volume analysis conceptsdisclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the item(s) 104 can be associated with one or moreidentifiers such as a globally unique identifier, a serial number, amodel number, a unique identifier, and/or other types of identifyinginformation. The identifier can be associated with a visual indicia. Thevisual indicia can be embodied as a two-dimensional (“2D”) barcode suchas a quick response code (“QR code”). According to some otherembodiments, the visual indicia can include other types of 2D barcodessuch as, for example, a MAXICODE, a DATA MATRIX, an EZCODE, an AZTECcode, a CODABLOCK barcode, and/or other matrix barcodes; variousmulticolor codes such as a HIGH CAPACITY COLOR BARCODE and/or a HUECODE;combinations thereof; or the like. Because the indicia can includealmost any type of information for representing the identifier for anitem 104, it should be understood that these embodiments areillustrative, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

The SMM device 108, in some embodiments, can scan the visual indicia(e.g., the QR code) for the item(s) 104 located within the monitoredspace 106 and can transmit the associated identifier to the STARS 102.The STARS 102 can determine when a particular item is missing by the SMMdevice 108 no longer being able to identify the associated identifiervia the visual indicia.

The STARS 102 can, over time, request that the SMM device(s) 108 performadditional spatial mappings of the monitored space 106 to determine anoccupancy of the monitored space 106—that is, a portion of monitoredspace 106 occupied by the item(s) 104. The occupancy of the monitoredspace 106 can be expressed in terms of a percentage, although otherexpressions can be used and are contemplated. These mappings can bestored by the rules and integration system 112 as updated spatial maps116.

The rules and integration system 112 can compare the initial spatialmap(s) 114 to the updated spatial map(s) 116 to determine occupancychanges within the monitored space 106. The rules and integration system112 can perform operations based upon any occupancy changes inaccordance with one or more rules 118. In some embodiments, the rules118 can include one or more rules that specify one or more if-thenconditions by which to handle a particular situation. In some otherembodiments, the rules 118 can include one or more matrices of cause andeffect conditions, tables of actions, or the like for responding to orotherwise dealing with certain stimuli. The rule(s) 118, in someembodiments, can be defined by the user 110. The user 110 and his/herrule(s) 118 can be associated with a user account 120, which can alsoidentify the monitored space(s) 106, the SMM device(s) 108, the item(s)104, and other information, such as information identifying the user110.

The user 110 can be associated with a user device 122. According tovarious embodiments, the functionality of the user device 122 may beprovided by one or more server computers, desktop computers, mobiletelephones, laptop computers, set-top boxes, other computing systems,and the like. It should be understood that the functionality of the userdevice 122 can be provided by a single device, by two similar devices,and/or by two or more dissimilar devices. For purposes of describing theconcepts and technologies disclosed herein, the user device 122 isdescribed herein as a personal computer or a mobile device such as acellular smartphone. It should be understood that these embodiments areillustrative, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

The illustrated user device 122 can execute a STARS device application124 to interact with the STARS 102. The STARS device application 124 canbe a native application. Alternatively, the STARS device application 124can be a web application accessible via a web browser application (notshown). Other embodiments of the STARS device application 124 includefunctionality built-in to an operating system of the user device 122(best shown in FIG. 8). By way of example, and not limitation, the STARSdevice application 124 can allow the user 110 to communicate with therules and integration system 112 to establish the initial spatial map114 of the monitored space 106, to create the updated spatial map(s)116, to define/update the rule(s) 118, to set up and update the useraccount 120, and to otherwise interact with the STARS 102 and thecomponents thereof.

The user device 122 and the STARS 102 can be in communication via anetwork 126. The network 126 can be implemented in accordance with anywired or wireless network technology. The network 126 can facilitatecommunications between the STARS 102 and the user device 122. Thenetwork 126 can facilitate communications between the user device 122and one or more third party services 128. The network 126 can facilitatecommunications between STARS 102 and the third party service(s) 128.Additional details about the network 126 can be found herein below withreference to FIG. 9.

The third party service(s) 128 can include any consumer and/orbusiness-oriented services. The third party service(s) 128 can beindustry-specific. For example, the third party service(s) 128 canprovide services in the automotive, energy, healthcare, industrial,retail, smart buildings/homes industries, and/or the like. Those skilledin the art will appreciate the applicability of the third partyservice(s) 128 to other industries. For this reason, third partyservice(s) 128 described herein are used merely to illustrate someexamples, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in anyway.

In some embodiments, the rules and integration system 112 can interactwith the third party services 128 in accordance with the rule(s) 118 tocause the third party service(s) 128 to perform one or more tasks. Byway of example, and not limitation, the third party service 128 caninclude a supplier service that supplies one or more of the items 104located with the monitored space 106. When the updated spatial map 116of the monitored space 106 indicates an occupancy that falls below anoccupancy threshold, the rule 118 can cause the rules and integrationsystem 112 to place an order with the third party service 128 for one ormore of the items 104 to increase the occupancy to above the occupancythreshold. In this manner, the STARS 102 can coordinate with the thirdparty service(s) 128 for inventory management of the monitored space106.

For monitoring the item(s) 104 in the monitored space 106, the user 110can be provided with an option to scan the visual indicia (e.g., a QRcode or the like mentioned above) of the item 104 to the STARS 102 sothat when the item 104 is missing from the monitored space 106, theSTARS 102 can perform one or more tasks defined by the user 110.Additionally, the SMM device 108 can be definable in such a way that theuser 110 can choose to monitor only a set portion of the monitored space106.

It should be understood that some implementations of the operatingenvironment 100 can include multiple STARS 102, multiple monitoredspaces 106, multiple SMM devices 108, multiple users 110, multiple rulesand integration systems 112, multiple user devices 122, multiple STARSdevice applications 124, multiple networks 126, or some combinationthereof. Thus, the illustrated embodiment should be understood as beingillustrative, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a block diagram illustrating additional aspects(generally shown at 200) of the STARS 102, the SMM device 108, the userdevice 122, and the rules and integration system 112 capable ofimplementing the embodiments presented herein will be described. Priorto using the STARS 102, the user 110 (or another entity on behalf of theuser 110) deploys the SMM device 108 within a space that is to bemonitored, such as the monitored space 106 in the illustrated example.After deployment, the SMM device 108 is synchronized with the rules andintegration system 112. This synchronization process can includeregistering the SMM device 108 in association with the monitored space106 and the user 110 in a corresponding one of the user accounts 120.

After synchronization, the SMM device 108 can perform an initial spatialmapping of the monitored space 106 to create an initial space map 202.The initial space map 202 can include a volume capacity of the monitoredspace 106 prior to any of the items 104 being deployed therein. The SMMdevice 108 provides the initial space map 202 to the rules andintegration system 112. The rules and integration system 112 stores theinitial space map 202 as one of the initial spatial maps 114 inassociation with the user account 120.

The user 110 can enable monitoring and mapping of the monitored space106 by the SMM device 108 via the STARS device application 124 executingon the user device 122. In particular, the STARS device application 124can present a user interface (not shown) through which the user 110 candefine one or more space parameters 204. The space parameter(s) 204 caninclude parameters associated with the monitored space 106. In addition,the space parameter(s) 204 can be utilized by the SMM device 108 toperform the mapping and monitoring operations described herein. Thespace parameter(s) 204 also can be utilized by the rules and integrationsystem 112 to perform operations described herein in accordance with therule(s) 118.

The space parameter(s) 204 can include a mapping frequency that isutilized by the SMM device 108 to perform spatial mapping of themonitored space 106 at a specified frequency, such as every minute,hour, day, or some other interval of time. The SMM device 108 canreceive the mapping frequency from the STARS 102 and can map themonitored space 106 to create an updated space map 206 in accordancewith the mapping frequency. The updated space map 206 can include anupdated volume capacity of the monitored space 106 indicative of achange in the items 104 located within the monitored space 106. The SMMdevice 108 provides the updated space map 206 to the rules andintegration system 112. The rules and integration system 112 stores theupdated space map 206 as one of the updated spatial maps 116 inassociation with the user account 120.

The space parameter(s) 204 can include an occupancy threshold for themonitored space 106. The occupancy threshold can specify a value for anoccupied volume of the monitored space 106 that, when met, is utilizedby the rules and integration system 112 to perform one or moreoperations based upon the rule(s) 118. The operations can include, forexample, generating one or more alerts 208 directed to the third partyservice(s) 128 and/or to the user device 122. In response to thealert(s) 208, the third party service(s) 128 and/or the user device 122can perform one or more tasks. For example, the third party service 128can include a supplier service that supplies one or more of the items104 located with the monitored space 106. When the updated spatial map116 of the monitored space 106 indicates an occupancy that falls belowan occupancy threshold, a rule 118 can cause the rules and integrationsystem 112 to place an order with the third party service 128 for one ormore of the items 104 to increase the occupancy to above the occupancythreshold. In this manner, the STARS 102 can coordinate with the thirdparty service(s) 128 for inventory management of the monitored space106.

After the SMM device 108 maps the monitored space 106 and sends theupdated space map 206 to the rules and integration system 112, the rulesand integration system 112 uses the updated spatial map(s) 116, theinitial spatial map(s) 114, and the rules 118 to determine whether ornot an alert 208 should be triggered. In this manner, the user 110, oranother entity on behalf of the user 110, can create automated eventstriggered by the occupancy of the item(s) within the monitored space106.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method300 for setting up the SMM device 108 to monitor the monitored space 106will be described, according to an illustrative embodiment. It should beunderstood that the operations of the methods disclosed herein are notnecessarily presented in any particular order and that performance ofsome or all of the operations in an alternative order(s) is possible andis contemplated. The operations have been presented in the demonstratedorder for ease of description and illustration. Operations may be added,omitted, and/or performed simultaneously, without departing from thescope of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein.

It also should be understood that the methods disclosed herein can beended at any time and need not be performed in its entirety. Some or alloperations of the methods, and/or substantially equivalent operations,can be performed by execution of computer-readable instructions includedon a computer storage media, as defined herein. The term“computer-readable instructions,” and variants thereof, as used herein,is used expansively to include routines, applications, applicationmodules, program modules, programs, components, data structures,algorithms, and the like. Computer-readable instructions can beimplemented on various system configurations including single-processoror multiprocessor systems or devices, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, personal computers, hand-held computing devices,microprocessor-based, programmable consumer electronics, combinationsthereof, and the like.

Thus, it should be appreciated that the logical operations describedherein are implemented (1) as a sequence of computer implemented acts orprogram modules running on a computing system and/or (2) asinterconnected machine logic circuits or circuit modules within thecomputing system. The implementation is a matter of choice dependent onthe performance and other requirements of the computing system.Accordingly, the logical operations described herein are referred tovariously as states, operations, structural devices, acts, or modules.These states, operations, structural devices, acts, and modules may beimplemented in software, in firmware, in special purpose digital logic,and any combination thereof. As used herein, the phrase “cause aprocessor to perform operations” and variants thereof is used to referto causing one or more processors of the STARS 102, the SMM device 108,the rules and integration system 112, the user device 122, and/or one ormore other computing systems and/or devices disclosed herein to performoperations.

For purposes of illustrating and describing some of the concepts of thepresent disclosure, the methods disclosed herein are described as beingperformed, at least in part, by the STARS 102, the SMM device 108, therules and integration system 112, and/or the user device 122 viaexecution of one or more software modules. It should be understood thatadditional and/or alternative devices and/or network nodes can providethe functionality described herein via execution of one or more modules,applications, and/or other software. Thus, the illustrated embodimentsare illustrative, and should not be viewed as being limiting in any way.

The method 300 begins and proceeds to operation 302, wherein the SMMdevice 108 is deployed within the monitored space 106. From operation302, the method 300 proceeds to operation 304, where the SMM device 108registers with the STARS 102 via the rules and integration system 112.The SMM device 108 can provide a device identifier that uniquelyidentifies the SMM device 108 to the STARS 102. The device identifiercan be stored by the rules and integration system 112 in associationwith an identifier of the monitored space 106 and the user 110 in acorresponding one of the user accounts 120.

From operation 304, the method 300 proceeds to operation 306, where theSMM device 108 performs an initial spatial mapping of the monitoredspace 106 to create the initial space map 202. As noted above, theinitial space map 202 can include a volume capacity of the monitoredspace 106 prior to any of the items 104 being deployed therein. Fromoperation 306, the method 300 proceeds to operation 308, where the SMMdevice 108 provides the initial space map 202 to the STARS 102. Therules and integration system 112 stores the initial space map 202 as oneof the initial spatial maps 114 in association with the user account120.

From operation 308, the method 300 proceeds to operation 310, where theSMM device 108 receives, from the STARS 102, at least one spaceparameter 204. From operation 310, the method 300 proceeds to operation312, where the SMM device 108 updates in accordance with the at leastone space parameter 204. As noted above, the space parameter(s) 204 caninclude a mapping frequency that is utilized by the SMM device 108 toperform spatial mapping of the monitored space 106 at a specifiedfrequency, such as every minute, hour, day, or some other interval oftime. The SMM device 108 can receive the mapping frequency from theSTARS 102 and can map the monitored space 106 to create an updated spacemap 206 in accordance with the mapping frequency. The updated space map206 can include an updated volume capacity of the monitored space 106indicative of a change in the items 104 located within the monitoredspace 106. The space parameter(s) 204 also can include an occupancythreshold for the monitored space 106. The occupancy threshold canspecify a value for an occupied volume of the monitored space 106 that,when met, is utilized by the rules and integration system 112 to performone or more operations based upon the rule(s) 118. The operations caninclude, for example, generating one or more alerts 208 directed to thethird party service(s) 128 and/or to the user device 122. In response tothe alert(s) 208, the third party service(s) 128 and/or the user device122 can perform one or more tasks. For example, the third party service128 can include a supplier service that supplies one or more of theitems 104 located within the monitored space 106. When the updatedspatial map 116 of the monitored space 106 indicates an occupancy thatfalls below an occupancy threshold, a rule 118 can cause the rules andintegration system 112 to place an order with the third party service128 for one or more of the items 104 to increase the occupancy to abovethe occupancy threshold. In this manner, the STARS 102 can coordinatewith the third party service(s) 128 for inventory management of themonitored space 106.

From operation 312, the method 300 proceeds to operation 314. The method300 ends at operation 314.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method400 for operating the user device 122 will be described, according to anillustrative embodiment. The method 400 begins and proceeds to operation402, where the user device 122 presents the STARS device application 124to the user 110. From operation 402, the method 400 proceeds tooperation 404, where the user device 122 receives at least one spaceparameter 204 from the user 110. In response, at operation 406, the userdevice 122 provides the space parameter(s) 204 to the STARS 102.

From operation 406, the method 400 proceeds to operation 408, where theuser device 122 receives, from the user 110, rule specifications for oneor more of the rules 118 to be implemented by the rules and integrationsystem 112. From operation 408, the method 400 proceeds to operation410, where the user device 112 provides the rule specifications to theSTARS 102. The STARS 102 can implement the rules 118 to generate one ormore of the alerts 208 directed to the user device 122. From operation410, the method 400 proceeds to operation 412, where the user device 122receives the alert(s) 208 from the STARS 102 and performs one or moretasks in response thereto.

From operation 412, the method 400 proceeds to operation 414. The method400 ends at operation 414.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method500 for operating the STARS 102 will be described, according to anillustrative embodiment. The method 500 begins and proceeds to operation502, where the STARS 102 receives, from the SMM device 108, the initialspace map 202 from the SMM device 108. The STARS 102 then stores theinitial space map 202 as part of the initial space map(s) 114 associatedwith the user account 120 to which the SMM device 108 is assigned and inassociation with the user 110. From operation 502, the method 500proceeds to operation 504, where the STARS 102 receives, from the userdevice 122, the space parameter(s) 204. The STARS 102 then, at operation506, updates SMM device 108 with the space parameter(s) 204. In thismanner, the SMM device 108 will then operate in accordance with thespace parameter(s) 204 to provide the updated space map(s) 206 to theSTARS 102.

From operation 506, the method 500 proceeds to operation 508, where theSTARS 102 receives, from the user device 122, rule specifications. Fromoperation 508, the method 500 proceeds to operation 510, where the STARS102 updates the rules 118 in accordance with the rule specifications. Inaddition or alternatively, the STARS 102 can create one or more newrules 118 in accordance with the rule specifications.

From operation 510, the method 500 proceeds to operation 512, where theSTARS 102 receives the updated space map(s) 206 from the SMM device 108.The STARS 102, at operation 514, stores the updated space map(s) 206.From operation 514, the method 500 proceeds to operation 516, where theSTARS 102 applies the rule(s) 118 to determine the alert(s) 208 and/orany tasks to be performed by the third party service(s) 128 and or theuser device 122 in accordance with the rule(s) 118. The STARS 102 thenprovides the alert(s) 208 and/or task(s) to the third party service(s)128 and/or the user device 122.

From operation 516, the method 500 proceeds to operation 518. The method500 ends at operation 518.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a 3-D representation 600 of the space 106monitored by the SMM device 108 will be described, according to anillustrative embodiment. The illustrated 3-D representation 600 includesitems 104A-104G located within the monitored space 106. As noted above,the SMM device 108 can perform additional spatial mappings of themonitored space 106 to determine an occupancy of the monitored space106—that is, a portion of the monitored space 106 occupied by theitem(s) 104. As additional item(s) 104 are added to or taken away fromthe monitored space 106, the SMM device 108 can create the updated spacemap(s) 206 and send the updated space map(s) 206 to the STARS 102 and,in particular, the rules and integration system 112, which can apply therule(s) 118 as described above and provide the alert(s) 208 and/ortask(s) to the third party service(s) 128 and/or the user device 122. Itshould be understood that the 3-D representation 600 is provided merelyfor purposes of illustration and should not be construed as limiting thespatial characteristics of the monitored space 106, the implementationof the SMM device 108 as a camera-based device, the number of items 104located within the monitored space 106, or in any other way.

Turning now to FIG. 7, a block diagram illustrating a computer system700 configured to perform various operations disclosed herein. Thecomputer system 700 includes a processing unit 702, a memory 704, one ormore user interface devices 706, one or more input/output (“I/O”)devices 708, and one or more network devices 710, each of which isoperatively connected to a system bus 712. The system bus 712 enablesbi-directional communication between the processing unit 702, the memory704, the user interface devices 706, the I/O devices 708, and thenetwork devices 710. In some embodiments, the STARS 102, the rules andintegration system 112, the user device 122, one or more systemsassociated with the network 126, one or more systems associated with thethird party service(s) 128, other systems disclosed or implied herein,or some combination thereof is/are configured, at least in part, likethe computer system 700. It should be understood, however, that thesesystems may include additional functionality or include lessfunctionality than now described.

The processing unit 702 may be a standard central processor thatperforms arithmetic and logical operations, a more specific purposeprogrammable logic controller (“PLC”), a programmable gate array, orother type of processor known to those skilled in the art and suitablefor controlling the operation of the computer system 700. Processingunits are generally known, and therefore are not described in furtherdetail herein.

The memory 704 communicates with the processing unit 702 via the systembus 712. In some embodiments, the memory 704 is operatively connected toa memory controller (not shown) that enables communication with theprocessing unit 702 via the system bus 712. The illustrated memory 704includes an operating system 714 and one or more program modules 716.

The operating system 714 can include, but is not limited to, members ofthe WINDOWS, WINDOWS CE, WINDOWS MOBILE, and/or WINDOWS PHONE familiesof operating systems from MICROSOFT CORPORATION, the LINUX family ofoperating systems, the SYMBIAN family of operating systems from SYMBIANLIMITED, the BREW family of operating systems from QUALCOMM CORPORATION,the MAC OS and/or iOS families of operating systems from APPLE INC., theFREEBSD family of operating systems, the SOLARIS family of operatingsystems from ORACLE CORPORATION, other operating systems such asproprietary operating systems, and the like.

The program modules 716 may include various software and/or programmodules described herein. These and/or other programs can be embodied incomputer-readable media containing instructions that, when executed bythe processing unit 702, perform one or more operations and/or otherfunctionality as illustrated and described herein. It can be appreciatedthat, at least by virtue of the instructions embodying, for example, themethods and/or other functionality illustrated and described hereinbeing stored in the memory 704 and/or accessed and/or executed by theprocessing unit 702, the computer system 700 is a special-purposecomputing system that can facilitate providing the functionalityillustrated and described herein. According to embodiments, the programmodules 716 may be embodied in hardware, software, firmware, or anycombination thereof Although not shown in FIG. 7, it should beunderstood that the memory 704 also can be configured to store any datadescribed herein, if desired.

The user interface devices 706 may include one or more devices withwhich a user accesses the computer system 700. The user interfacedevices 706 may include, but are not limited to, computers, servers,personal digital assistants, telephones (e.g., cellular, IP, orlandline), or any suitable computing devices. The I/O devices 708 enablea user to interface with the program modules. In one embodiment, the I/Odevices 708 are operatively connected to an I/O controller (not shown)that enables communication with the processing unit 702 via the systembus 712. The I/O devices 708 may include one or more input devices, suchas, but not limited to, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, or anelectronic stylus. Further, the I/O devices 708 may include one or moreoutput devices, such as, but not limited to, a display screen or aprinter.

The network devices 710 enable the computer system 700 to communicatewith other networks or remote systems via the network 126. Examples ofthe network devices 710 include, but are not limited to, a modem, aradio frequency (“RF”) or infrared (“IR”) transceiver, a telephonicinterface, a bridge, a router, or a network card. The network 126 mayinclude a wireless network such as, but not limited to, a wireless localarea network (“WLAN”) such as a WI-FI network, a wireless wide areanetwork (“WWAN”), a wireless PAN (“WPAN”) such as BLUETOOTH, or awireless metropolitan area network (“WMAN”). Alternatively, the network126 may be a wired network such as, but not limited to, a WAN such asthe Internet, a LAN such as the Ethernet, a wired PAN, or a wired MAN.

Turning now to FIG. 8, an illustrative mobile device 800 and componentsthereof will be described. In some embodiments, the user device 122described above and/or other devices described herein can be configuredas and/or can have an architecture similar or identical to the mobiledevice 800 described herein in FIG. 8. It should be understood, however,that devices described or implied herein may or may not include thefunctionality described herein with reference to FIG. 8. Whileconnections are not shown between the various components illustrated inFIG. 8, it should be understood that some, none, or all of thecomponents illustrated in FIG. 8 can be configured to interact with oneanother to carry out various device functions. In some embodiments, thecomponents are arranged so as to communicate via one or more busses (notshown). Thus, it should be understood that FIG. 8 and the followingdescription are intended to provide a general understanding of asuitable environment in which various aspects of embodiments can beimplemented, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the mobile device 800 can include a display802 for displaying data. According to various embodiments, the display802 can be configured to display network connection information, variousgraphical user interface (“GUI”) elements, text, images, video, virtualkeypads and/or keyboards, messaging data, notification messages,metadata, Internet content, device status, time, date, calendar data,device preferences, map and location data, combinations thereof, and/orthe like. The mobile device 800 also can include a processor 804 and amemory or other data storage device (“memory”) 806. The processor 804can be configured to process data and/or can execute computer-executableinstructions stored in the memory 806. The computer-executableinstructions executed by the processor 804 can include, for example, anoperating system 808, one or more applications 810, othercomputer-executable instructions stored in the memory 806, or the like.In some embodiments, the applications 810 also can include a UIapplication (not illustrated in FIG. 8).

The UI application can interface with the operating system 808 tofacilitate user interaction with functionality and/or data stored at themobile device 800 and/or stored elsewhere. In some embodiments, theoperating system 808 can include a member of the SYMBIAN OS family ofoperating systems from SYMBIAN LIMITED, a member of the WINDOWS MOBILEOS and/or WINDOWS PHONE OS families of operating systems from MICROSOFTCORPORATION, a member of the PALM WEBOS family of operating systems fromHEWLETT PACKARD CORPORATION, a member of the BLACKBERRY OS family ofoperating systems from RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED, a member of the IOSfamily of operating systems from APPLE INC., a member of the ANDROID OSfamily of operating systems from GOOGLE INC., and/or other operatingsystems. These operating systems are merely illustrative of somecontemplated operating systems that may be used in accordance withvarious embodiments of the concepts and technologies described hereinand therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

The UI application can be executed by the processor 804 to aid a user indata communications, entering/deleting data, entering and setting userIDs and passwords for device access, configuring settings, manipulatingcontent and/or settings, multimode interaction, interacting with otherapplications 810, and otherwise facilitating user interaction with theoperating system 808, the applications 810, and/or other types orinstances of data 812 that can be stored at the mobile device 800.

The applications 810, the data 812, and/or portions thereof can bestored in the memory 806 and/or in a firmware 814, and can be executedby the processor 804. The firmware 814 also can store code for executionduring device power up and power down operations. It can be appreciatedthat the firmware 814 can be stored in a volatile or non-volatile datastorage device including, but not limited to, the memory 806 and/or aportion thereof.

It can be appreciated that, at least by virtue of storage of theinstructions corresponding to the applications 810 and/or otherinstructions embodying other functionality illustrated and describedherein in the memory 806, and/or by virtue of the instructionscorresponding to the applications 810 and/or other instructionsembodying other functionality illustrated and described herein beingaccessed and/or executed by the processor 804, the mobile device 800 isa special-purpose mobile device that can facilitate providing thefunctionality illustrated and described herein. The firmware 814 alsocan store code for execution during device power up and power downoperations. It can be appreciated that the firmware 814 can be stored ina volatile or non-volatile data storage device including, but notlimited to, the memory 806 and/or a portion thereof.

The mobile device 800 also can include an input/output (“I/O”) interface816. The I/O interface 816 can be configured to support the input/outputof data such as location information, presence status information, userIDs, passwords, and application initiation (start-up) requests. In someembodiments, the I/O interface 816 can include a hardwire connectionsuch as a universal serial bus (“USB”) port, a mini-USB port, amicro-USB port, an audio jack, a PS2 port, an IEEE 1394 (“FIREWIRE”)port, a serial port, a parallel port, an Ethernet (RJ45) port, an RJ11port, a proprietary port, combinations thereof, or the like. In someembodiments, the mobile device 800 can be configured to synchronize withanother device to transfer content to and/or from the mobile device 800.In some embodiments, the mobile device 800 can be configured to receiveupdates to one or more of the applications 810 via the I/O interface816, though this is not necessarily the case. In some embodiments, theI/O interface 816 accepts I/O devices such as keyboards, keypads, mice,interface tethers, printers, plotters, external storage,touch/multi-touch screens, touch pads, trackballs, joysticks,microphones, remote control devices, displays, projectors, medicalequipment (e.g., stethoscopes, heart monitors, and other health metricmonitors), modems, routers, external power sources, docking stations,combinations thereof, and the like. It should be appreciated that theI/O interface 816 may be used for communications between the mobiledevice 800 and a network device or local device.

The mobile device 800 also can include a communications component 818.The communications component 818 can be configured to interface with theprocessor 804 to facilitate wired and/or wireless communications withone or more networks such as a WWAN WI-FI access network and/or the WWANcellular access network described herein. In some embodiments, thecommunications component 818 includes a multimode communicationssubsystem for facilitating communications via the cellular network andone or more other networks.

The communications component 818, in some embodiments, includes one ormore transceivers. The one or more transceivers, if included, can beconfigured to communicate over the same and/or different wirelesstechnology standards with respect to one another. For example, in someembodiments, one or more of the transceivers of the communicationscomponent 818 may be configured to communicate using Global System forMobile communications (“GSM”), Code Division Multiple Access One(“CDMAONE”), CDMA2000, Long-Term Evolution (“LTE”), LTE Advanced, andvarious other 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 4G, 4.5G, 5G and greater generationtechnology standards. Moreover, the communications component 818 mayfacilitate communications over various channel access methods (which mayor may not be used by the aforementioned standards) including, but notlimited to, Time Division Multiple Access (“TDMA”), Frequency DivisionMultiple Access (“FDMA”), Wideband CDMA (“W-CDMA”), Orthogonal FrequencyDivision Multiple Access (“OFDMA”), Space Division Multiple Access(“SDMA”), and the like.

In addition, the communications component 818 may facilitate datacommunications using General Packet Radio Service (“GPRS”), EnhancedData rates for GSM Evolution (“EDGE”), the High-Speed Packet Access(“HSPA”) protocol family including High-Speed Downlink Packet Access(“HSDPA”), Enhanced Upload Link (“EUL”) or otherwise termed High-SpeedUplink Packet Access (“HSUPA”), HSPA+, and various other current andfuture wireless data access standards. In the illustrated embodiment,the communications component 818 can include a first transceiver(“TxRx”) 820A that can operate in a first communications mode (e.g.,GSM). The communications component 818 also can include an N^(th)transceiver (“TxRx”) 820N that can operate in a second communicationsmode relative to the first transceiver 820A (e.g., UMTS). While twotransceivers 820A-820N (hereinafter collectively and/or genericallyreferred to as “transceivers 820”) are shown in FIG. 8, it should beappreciated that less than two, two, and/or more than two transceivers820 can be included in the communications component 818.

The communications component 818 also can include an alternativetransceiver (“Alt TxRx”) 822 for supporting other types and/or standardsof communications. According to various contemplated embodiments, thealternative transceiver 822 can communicate using various communicationstechnologies such as, for example, WI-FI, WIMAX, BLUETOOTH, infrared,infrared data association (“IRDA”), near field communications (“NFC”),other RF technologies, combinations thereof, and the like. In someembodiments, the communications component 818 also can facilitatereception from terrestrial radio networks, digital satellite radionetworks, internet-based radio service networks, combinations thereof,and the like. The communications component 818 can process data from anetwork such as the Internet, an intranet, a broadband network, a WI-FIhotspot, an Internet service provider (“ISP”), a digital subscriber line(“DSL”) provider, a broadband provider, combinations thereof, or thelike.

The mobile device 800 also can include one or more sensors 824. Thesensors 824 can include temperature sensors, light sensors, air qualitysensors, movement sensors, accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes,infrared sensors, orientation sensors, noise sensors, microphonesproximity sensors, combinations thereof, and/or the like. Additionally,audio capabilities for the mobile device 800 may be provided by an audioI/O component 826. The audio I/O component 826 of the mobile device 800can include one or more speakers for the output of audio signals, one ormore microphones for the collection and/or input of audio signals,and/or other audio input and/or output devices.

The illustrated mobile device 800 also can include a subscriber identitymodule (“SIM”) system 828. The SIM system 828 can include a universalSIM (“USIM”), a universal integrated circuit card (“UICC”) and/or otheridentity devices. The SIM system 828 can include and/or can be connectedto or inserted into an interface such as a slot interface 830. In someembodiments, the slot interface 830 can be configured to acceptinsertion of other identity cards or modules for accessing various typesof networks. Additionally, or alternatively, the slot interface 830 canbe configured to accept multiple subscriber identity cards. Becauseother devices and/or modules for identifying users and/or the mobiledevice 800 are contemplated, it should be understood that theseembodiments are illustrative, and should not be construed as beinglimiting in any way.

The mobile device 800 also can include an image capture and processingsystem 832 (“image system”). The image system 832 can be configured tocapture or otherwise obtain photos, videos, and/or other visualinformation. As such, the image system 832 can include cameras, lenses,charge-coupled devices (“CCDs”), combinations thereof, or the like. Themobile device 800 may also include a video system 834. The video system834 can be configured to capture, process, record, modify, and/or storevideo content. Photos and videos obtained using the image system 832 andthe video system 834, respectively, may be added as message content toan MMS message, email message, and sent to another device. The videoand/or photo content also can be shared with other devices via varioustypes of data transfers via wired and/or wireless communication devicesas described herein.

The mobile device 800 also can include one or more location components836. The location components 836 can be configured to send and/orreceive signals to determine a geographic location of the mobile device800. According to various embodiments, the location components 836 cansend and/or receive signals from GPS devices, assisted-GPS (“A-GPS”)devices, WI-FI/WIMAX and/or cellular network triangulation data,combinations thereof, and the like. The location component 836 also canbe configured to communicate with the communications component 818 toretrieve triangulation data for determining a location of the mobiledevice 800. In some embodiments, the location component 836 caninterface with cellular network nodes, telephone lines, satellites,location transmitters and/or beacons, wireless network transmitters andreceivers, combinations thereof, and the like. In some embodiments, thelocation component 836 can include and/or can communicate with one ormore of the sensors 824 such as a compass, an accelerometer, and/or agyroscope to determine the orientation of the mobile device 800. Usingthe location component 836, the mobile device 800 can generate and/orreceive data to identify its geographic location, or to transmit dataused by other devices to determine the location of the mobile device800. The location component 836 may include multiple components fordetermining the location and/or orientation of the mobile device 800.

The illustrated mobile device 800 also can include a power source 838.The power source 838 can include one or more batteries, power supplies,power cells, and/or other power subsystems including alternating current(“AC”) and/or direct current (“DC”) power devices. The power source 838also can interface with an external power system or charging equipmentvia a power I/O component 840. Because the mobile device 800 can includeadditional and/or alternative components, the above embodiment should beunderstood as being illustrative of one possible operating environmentfor various embodiments of the concepts and technologies describedherein. The described embodiment of the mobile device 800 isillustrative, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

As used herein, communication media includes computer-executableinstructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in amodulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transportmechanism and includes any delivery media. The term “modulated datasignal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristicschanged or set in a manner as to encode information in the signal. Byway of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wiredmedia such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wirelessmedia such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media.Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within thescope of computer-readable media.

By way of example, and not limitation, computer storage media mayinclude volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information suchas computer-executable instructions, data structures, program modules,or other data. For example, computer media includes, but is not limitedto, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid state memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (“DVD”), HD-DVD, BLU-RAY, orother optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to store the desired information and which can be accessed bythe mobile device 800 or other devices or computers described herein,such as the computer system 800 described above with reference to FIG.8. For purposes of the claims, the phrase “computer-readable storagemedium” and variations thereof, does not include waves, signals, and/orother transitory and/or intangible communication media, per se.

Encoding the software modules presented herein also may transform thephysical structure of the computer-readable media presented herein. Thespecific transformation of physical structure may depend on variousfactors, in different implementations of this description. Examples ofsuch factors may include, but are not limited to, the technology used toimplement the computer-readable media, whether the computer-readablemedia is characterized as primary or secondary storage, and the like.For example, if the computer-readable media is implemented assemiconductor-based memory, the software disclosed herein may be encodedon the computer-readable media by transforming the physical state of thesemiconductor memory. For example, the software may transform the stateof transistors, capacitors, or other discrete circuit elementsconstituting the semiconductor memory. The software also may transformthe physical state of such components in order to store data thereupon.

As another example, the computer-readable media disclosed herein may beimplemented using magnetic or optical technology. In suchimplementations, the software presented herein may transform thephysical state of magnetic or optical media, when the software isencoded therein. These transformations may include altering the magneticcharacteristics of particular locations within given magnetic media.These transformations also may include altering the physical features orcharacteristics of particular locations within given optical media, tochange the optical characteristics of those locations. Othertransformations of physical media are possible without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the present description, with the foregoingexamples provided only to facilitate this discussion.

In light of the above, it should be appreciated that many types ofphysical transformations may take place in the mobile device 800 inorder to store and execute the software components presented herein. Itis also contemplated that the mobile device 800 may not include all ofthe components shown in FIG. 8, may include other components that arenot explicitly shown in FIG. 8, or may utilize an architecturecompletely different than that shown in FIG. 8.

Turning now to FIG. 9, additional details of the network 126 areillustrated, according to an illustrative embodiment. The network 126includes a cellular network 902, a packet data network 904, for example,the Internet, and a circuit switched network 906, for example, apublicly switched telephone network (“PSTN”). The cellular network 902includes various components such as, but not limited to, basetransceiver stations (“BTSs”), Node-B's or e-Node-B's, base stationcontrollers (“BSCs”), radio network controllers (“RNCs”), mobileswitching centers (“MSCs”), mobile management entities (“MMEs”), shortmessage service centers (“SMSCs”), multimedia messaging service centers(“MMSCs”), home location registers (“HLRs”), home subscriber servers(“HSSs”), visitor location registers (“VLRs”), charging platforms,billing platforms, voicemail platforms, GPRS core network components,location service nodes, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (“IMS”), and thelike. The cellular network 902 also includes radios and nodes forreceiving and transmitting voice, data, and combinations thereof to andfrom radio transceivers, networks, the packet data network 904, and thecircuit switched network 906.

A mobile communications device 908, such as, for example, a cellulartelephone, a user equipment, a mobile terminal, a PDA, a laptopcomputer, a handheld computer, the user device 122, and combinationsthereof, can be operatively connected to a cellular network. Thecellular network 902 can be configured as a 2G Global System for Mobilecommunications (“GSM”) network and can provide data communications viaGeneral Packet Radio Service (“GPRS”) and/or Enhanced Data rates for GSMEvolution (“EDGE”). Additionally, or alternatively, the cellular network902 can be configured as a 3G Universal Mobile Telecommunications System(“UMTS”) network and can provide data communications via the High-SpeedPacket Access (“HSPA”) protocol family, for example, High-Speed DownlinkPacket Access (“HSDPA”), Enhanced UpLink (“EUL”) (also referred to asHigh-Speed Uplink Packet Access (“HSUPA”)), and HSPA+. The cellularnetwork 902 also is compatible with 4G mobile communications standardssuch as Long-Term Evolution (“LTE”), or the like, as well as evolved andfuture mobile standards.

The packet data network 904 includes various devices, for example,servers, computers, databases, and other devices in communication withone another, as is generally known. The packet data network 904 devicesare accessible via one or more network links. The servers often storevarious files that are provided to a requesting device such as, forexample, a computer, a terminal, a smartphone, or the like. Typically,the requesting device includes software (a “browser”) for executing aweb page in a format readable by the browser or other software. Otherfiles and/or data may be accessible via “links” in the retrieved files,as is generally known. In some embodiments, the packet data network 904includes or is in communication with the Internet. The circuit switchednetwork 906 includes various hardware and software for providing circuitswitched communications. The circuit switched network 906 may include,or may be, what is often referred to as a plain old telephone system(“POTS”). The functionality of a circuit switched network 906 or othercircuit-switched network are generally known and will not be describedherein in detail.

The illustrated cellular network 902 is shown in communication with thepacket data network 904 and a circuit switched network 906, though itshould be appreciated that this is not necessarily the case. One or moreInternet-capable devices 910, for example, a PC, a laptop, a portabledevice, or another suitable device, can communicate with one or morecellular networks 902, and devices connected thereto, through the packetdata network 904. It also should be appreciated that theInternet-capable device 910 can communicate with a packet data network904 through the circuit switched network 906, the cellular network 902,and/or via other networks (not illustrated).

As illustrated, a communications device 912, for example, a telephone,facsimile machine, modem, computer, or the like, can be in communicationwith the circuit switched network 906, and therethrough to the packetdata network 904 and/or the cellular network 902. It should beappreciated that the communications device 912 can be anInternet-capable device, and can be substantially similar to theInternet-capable device 910. In the specification, the network 900 isused to refer broadly to any combination of the networks 902, 904, 906.It should be appreciated that substantially all of the functionalitydescribed with reference to the network 900 can be performed by thecellular network 902, the packet data network 904, and/or the circuitswitched network 906, alone or in combination with other networks,network elements, and the like.

Based on the foregoing, it should be appreciated that concepts andtechnologies for a spatial telemeter alert reconnaissance system hasbeen disclosed herein. Although the subject matter presented herein hasbeen described in language specific to computer structural features,methodological and transformative acts, specific computing machinery,and computer-readable media, it is to be understood that the inventiondefined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to thespecific features, acts, or media described herein. Rather, the specificfeatures, acts and mediums are disclosed as example forms ofimplementing the claims.

The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustrationonly and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications andchanges may be made to the subject matter described herein withoutfollowing the example embodiments and applications illustrated anddescribed, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of thesubject disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spatial telemeter alert reconnaissance systemcomprising: a processor; and a memory that stores instructions that,when executed by the processor, cause the processor to performoperations comprising receiving, from a spatial mapping and monitoringdevice that is deployed within a space, an initial space map for thespace, wherein the initial space map comprises a volume capacity of thespace measured by the spatial mapping and monitoring device, and whereinthe volume capacity of the space comprises a volume of the spaceunoccupied by an item, receiving, from the spatial mapping andmonitoring device, a first updated space map for the space, wherein thefirst updated space map comprises a first updated volume capacity of thespace measured by the spatial mapping and monitoring device,determining, based at least in part on the volume capacity of the spaceand the first updated volume capacity of the space, a first occupiedvolume of the space, wherein the first occupied volume of the spacecomprises at least a portion of the volume capacity of the space that isoccupied by at least one item, receiving, from the spatial mapping andmonitoring device, a second updated space map for the space, wherein thesecond updated space map comprises a second updated volume capacity ofthe space measured by the spatial mapping and monitoring device,determining, based at least in part on the first updated volume capacityof the space and the second updated volume capacity of the space, asecond occupied volume of the space indicating an occupancy changewithin the space from the first occupied volume, determining whether thesecond occupied volume of the space falls below an occupancy threshold,and in response to determining that the second occupied volume of thespace falls below the occupancy threshold, generating an alert.
 2. Thespatial telemeter alert reconnaissance system of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise receiving, from a mobile communicationsdevice executing a spatial telemeter alert reconnaissance system deviceapplication, a plurality of space parameters to be utilized for thespace, wherein the plurality of space parameters comprise a mappingfrequency indicating a specified frequency at which spatial mapping ofthe space is to be performed and the occupancy threshold.
 3. The spatialtelemeter alert reconnaissance system of claim 2, wherein the firstupdated space map for the space and the second updated space map for thespace are received in accordance with the mapping frequency.
 4. Thespatial telemeter alert reconnaissance system of claim 1, wherein thespatial mapping and monitoring device measures the volume capacity ofthe space, the first occupied volume of the space, and the secondoccupied volume of the space using at least one of an infrared spatialmapping technology, a camera-based spatial mapping technology, or asound-based spatial mapping technology.
 5. The spatial telemeter alertreconnaissance system of claim 1, wherein the operations furthercomprise sending the alert to a mobile communications device, andwherein the mobile communications device performs a task in response tothe alert.
 6. The spatial telemeter alert reconnaissance system of claim1, wherein the operations further comprise sending the alert to a thirdparty service, and wherein the third party service performs a task inresponse to the alert.
 7. The spatial telemeter alert reconnaissancesystem of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving,from the spatial mapping and monitoring device, a device identifier thatuniquely identifies the spatial mapping and monitoring device; andstoring, in a user account established via a spatial telemeter alertreconnaissance system device application executing on a mobilecommunications device, the device identifier of the spatial mapping andmonitoring device in association with an identifier of the space and anidentifier of a user of the mobile communications device.
 8. A methodcomprising: receiving, by a spatial telemeter alert reconnaissancesystem, from a spatial mapping and monitoring device that is deployedwithin a space, an initial space map for the space, wherein the initialspace map comprises a volume capacity of the space measured by thespatial mapping and monitoring device, and wherein the volume capacityof the space comprises a volume of the space unoccupied by an item;receiving, by the spatial telemeter alert reconnaissance system, fromthe spatial mapping and monitoring device, a first updated space map forthe space, wherein the first updated space map comprises a first updatedvolume capacity of the space measured by the spatial mapping andmonitoring device; determining, by the spatial telemeter alertreconnaissance system, based at least in part on the volume capacity ofthe space and the first updated volume capacity of the space, a firstoccupied volume of the space, wherein the first occupied volume of thespace comprises at least a portion of the volume capacity of the spacethat is occupied by at least one item; receiving, by the spatialtelemeter alert reconnaissance system, from the spatial mapping andmonitoring device, a second updated space map for the space, wherein thesecond updated space map comprises a second updated volume capacity ofthe space measured by the spatial mapping and monitoring device;determining, by the spatial telemeter alert reconnaissance system, basedat least in part on the first updated volume capacity of the space andthe second updated volume capacity of the space, a second occupiedvolume of the space indicating an occupancy change within the space fromthe first occupied volume; determining, by the spatial telemeter alertreconnaissance system, whether the second occupied volume of the spacefalls below an occupancy threshold; and in response to determining thatthe second occupied volume of the space falls below the occupancythreshold, generating, by the spatial telemeter alert reconnaissancesystem, an alert.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprisingreceiving, from a mobile communications device executing a spatialtelemeter alert reconnaissance system device application, a plurality ofspace parameters to be utilized for the space, wherein the plurality ofspace parameters comprise a mapping frequency indicating a specifiedfrequency at which spatial mapping of the space is to be performed andthe occupancy threshold.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the firstupdated space map for the space and the second updated space map for thespace are received in accordance with the mapping frequency.
 11. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the spatial mapping and monitoring devicemeasures the volume capacity of the space, the first occupied volume ofthe space, and the second occupied volume of the space using at leastone of an infrared spatial mapping technology, a camera-based spatialmapping technology, or a sound-based spatial mapping technology.
 12. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising sending the alert to a mobilecommunications device, and wherein the mobile communications deviceperforms a task in response to the alert.
 13. The method of claim 8,further comprising sending the alert to a third party service, andwherein the third party service performs a task in response to thealert.
 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising: receiving, fromthe spatial mapping and monitoring device, a device identifier thatuniquely identifies the spatial mapping and monitoring device; andstoring, in a user account established via a spatial telemeter alertreconnaissance system device application executing on a mobilecommunications device, the device identifier of the spatial mapping andmonitoring device in association with an identifier of the space and anidentifier of a user of the mobile communications device.
 15. Acomputer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, whenexecuted by a processor of a spatial telemeter alert reconnaissancesystem, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving,from a spatial mapping and monitoring device that is deployed within aspace, an initial space map for the space, wherein the initial space mapcomprises a volume capacity of the space measured by the spatial mappingand monitoring device, and wherein the volume capacity of the spacecomprises a volume of the space unoccupied by an item; receiving, fromthe spatial mapping and monitoring device, a first updated space map forthe space, wherein the first updated space map comprises a first updatedvolume capacity of the space measured by the spatial mapping andmonitoring device; determining, based at least in part on the volumecapacity of the space and the first updated volume capacity of thespace, a first occupied volume of the space, wherein the first occupiedvolume of the space comprises at least a portion of the volume capacityof the space that is occupied by at least one item; receiving, from thespatial mapping and monitoring device, a second updated space map forthe space, wherein the second updated space map comprises a secondupdated volume capacity of the space measured by the spatial mapping andmonitoring device; determining, based at least in part on the firstupdated volume capacity of the space and the second updated volumecapacity of the space, a second occupied volume of the space indicatingan occupancy change within the space from the first occupied volume;determining whether the second occupied volume of the space falls belowan occupancy threshold; and in response to determining that the secondoccupied volume of the space falls below the occupancy threshold,generating an alert.
 16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim15, wherein the operations further comprise receiving, from a mobilecommunications device executing a spatial telemeter alert reconnaissancesystem device application, a plurality of space parameters to beutilized for the space, wherein the plurality of space parameterscomprise a mapping frequency indicating a specified frequency at whichspatial mapping of the space is to be performed and the occupancythreshold.
 17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, whereinthe first updated space map for the space and the second updated spacemap for the space are received in accordance with the mapping frequency.18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein theoperations further comprise sending the alert to a mobile communicationsdevice, and wherein the mobile communications device performs a task inresponse to the alert.
 19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim15, wherein the operations further comprise sending the alert to a thirdparty service, and wherein the third party service performs a task inresponse to the alert.
 20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim15, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving, from the spatialmapping and monitoring device, a device identifier that uniquelyidentifies the spatial mapping and monitoring device; and storing, in auser account established via a spatial telemeter alert reconnaissancesystem device application executing on a mobile communications device,the device identifier of the spatial mapping and monitoring device inassociation with an identifier of the space and an identifier of a userof the mobile communications device.